The Law of the Florentine Catasto of 1427

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...two-thirds of the votes, as mentioned above. If both [candidates] are lacking [this majority] in the second ballot, they must take forty individuals from those who received the most black beans original: "fave nere". Black beans were used as "yes" votes and white beans as "no" votes in the Florentine balloting system. among the Greater Guilds for that same quarter in which the shortfall occurred. And similarly, forty from the Lesser Guilds The Arti Minori, representing tradesmen and artisans. throughout the entire city, if both did not succeed the first time, as stated above. And each of these forty must be put to a vote among the aforementioned group in the manner previously described.

And if in the second ballot two individuals do not obtain two-thirds of the black beans from those present—two for the quarter of the Greater Guilds and two for the Lesser Guilds, as mentioned above—or if there was a shortfall in the first ballot, then twenty people who received the most black beans in that second ballot must be selected for a third ballot. Each of them, in the same manner, must be put to a vote among the same group. And if in the said third ballot the two individuals—or those still missing—do not succeed, then ten out of the twenty who had the most black beans in the last ballot shall be selected for a fourth ballot. Each must be scrutinized The squittinio was the formal vetting and voting process for office-seekers, involving both a check of eligibility and a series of votes. individually, as before.

And if those who were missing, or the required number, do not obtain the two-thirds majority as stated above, five shall be taken for a fifth ballot from among those ten who surpassed their companions in the number of black beans received. Each of these five shall be put to a vote individually among the aforementioned group, in the form described above. And the one or two for the quarter of the Greater Guilds and the two for the Lesser Guilds who were still missing but had the most black beans—even assuming that they did not obtain the two-thirds majority of the black beans from those present—shall be understood as appointed. They are to be considered as if each had received the two-thirds majority and more of the black beans from those present in the first ballot, having outranked the others. This is always understood: that whenever a specific number [of candidates] must be chosen and there is a tie, all those tied must be selected and put to a vote, except for the final round, for which specific provision is made below.

It is understood that in selecting those from the Lesser Guilds with the most black beans, it shall be done in this way: the two who are chosen and remain at the end must be from different quarters, and their names shall be read out again.